Lacson driver contests Mancao's claims, denies hearing about slay plot on Dacer

MANILA, Philippines – Opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s former personal driver on Friday denied the claim of Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao II that the two of them were inside the same vehicle when Lacson supposedly ordered publicist Salvador “Bubby" Dacer killed. In a second affidavit he signed on February 13, Mancao said Sergeant Reynaldo Oximoso was driving the vehicle at the time Lacson allegedly gave out instructions to Senior Superintendent Michael Ray Aquino to kill both Dacer and former police general Reynaldo Berroya. Mancao claimed that he, Oximoso, Aquino, and Lacson were all inside the former police chief's car when the instructions were given out some time in October 2000. In an exclusive interview with GMA News, Oximoso said Mancao’s story never happened, adding that he has never even been inside the same vehicle with Mancao while he was still working for Lacson. "Col. Mancao, Sir, bakit ako ay idinadamay mo, gayong alam mo naman na wala akong kinalaman? Sana magpakalalaki ka [Col. Mancao, sir, why are you implicating me when you know for a fact that I have no knowledge of the crime? Be a man.]," Oximoso said. Oximoso said he has never heard Lacson talk about a plan to eliminate Dacer since he would only stay outside the senator’s office or inside Lacson’s car most of the time. The driver said Lacson would only summon him when the senator wants to be driven somewhere. Oximoso said he has never been contacted by Lacson ever since the Philippine Daily Inquirer article came out Friday, citing Mancao’s affidavit as implicating the senator and former President Joseph Estrada to the twin killings in November 2000. Lacson and Estrada had both strongly denied having any involvement in the double killings, saying Mancao’s affidavit was merely part of Malacañang’s attempt to implicate them. Oximoso said he is willing to testify before the Department of Justic e (DOJ) provided that he would be made to appear in front of a lawyer and while being covered by the media. Fearing that he might get separated from his family if he comes out in the open, Oximoso also said the DOJ must assure him that he would be released after testifying. Lacson’s driver claimed that his safety had once already been put on the line, adding that unidentified men in the past used to lurk around his previous residence, asking neighbors details about him. Mancao’s lawyer – Arnedo Valera – had earlier confirmed in an interview with QTV’s Balitanghali that the affidavit being referred to the Inquirer article was indeed his client’s. Mancao – one of three suspects who fled to the United States after the Dacer-Corbito killings –was the chief of the Task Group Luzon of the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, which is headed by then Philippine National Police chief Lacson. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV